Esh Construction has been appointed as the contractor to deliver the UK Government-funded Towns Fund transformation of Brighouse town centre.

Following a competitive tender process, the company will now prepare for construction work to begin and will work with local shops and businesses to ensure support is in place during the programme of improvements.

The £19.1 million Brighouse Town Deal will focus on creating a more welcoming town centre, with an emphasis on people rather than cars while maintaining vital access routes. The project aims to encourage more visitors to shop, spend time and support the local economy.

Plans for the transformation were first developed in 2019, with extensive consultation taking place over the past six years. The final phase of work will deliver major changes to the layout of the town centre, complementing other investments already underway.

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As part of the wider programme, Calderdale College has launched the Industry 4.0 Hub to deliver manufacturing and digital skills support, while the rebuilding of Brighouse Market is nearing completion. The town centre public realm improvements will form the most visible stage of the regeneration.

The improvement works will focus on:

• Developing public areas to be more attractive and welcoming.

• Encouraging people to spend more time in the town centre throughout the day and into the evening.

• Creating a quality community and events space at the historic Thornton Square.

Initial work on Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) has already been undertaken, with feedback from local properties leading to some adjustments. A formal consultation on changes to vehicle movements and parking will begin shortly, with previous respondents having received feedback on their comments.

The Brighouse Town Deal is a partnership between Calderdale Council, Calderdale College, private and voluntary sector partners, and community and residents' groups.